Comelec upholds Serge Osmeña's perpetual disqualification

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has affirmed a ruling that perpetually disqualifies former Senator Sergio Osmeña III from running for public office after failing to file his statement of contributions and expenditures (SOCE) twice when he ran for senator in 2010 and 2016.

In a 16-page decision issued Friday, the Comelec en banc denied the motion for reconsideration Osmeña filed against a resolution of the Comelec Second Division issued in January 2020, imposing perpetual disqualification and administrative fines against the ex-lawmaker. 

"Wherefore, in light of the foregoing, the Commission En Banc resolved, as it hereby resolves, to deny the motion for reconsideration for lack of merit and affirm the Resolution dated 24 January 2020 of the Commission (Second Division)," the decision reads. 

In October 2018, the Comelec Finance Office filed a petition for disqualification against Osmeña for failing to file his SOCEs when he ran for senator in 2010 and 2016 national and local elections (NLE) despite extensions in the filing period.

Osmeña previously admitted that he filed his SOCE late in 2010 but explained he was too busy with the affairs of being the campaign manager of the late President Benigno Aquino III. In 2016, Osmeña said his files in the office were in shambles after the election that's why he was not able to submit the report on time.

The former legislator filed a motion for reconsideration, saying the Division erred when it ruled that he failed to file his SOCEs and said his reasons for non-filing warrant reconsideration. 

According to the Comelec en banc, Osmeña failed to raise new matters or issues that would warrant the reversal of the January 2020 decision in his MR. It also maintained the 30-day period after the election for the filing of the SOCEs is mandatory. 

"Prudence and fairness dictate that Respondent cannot evade liability for his own delay and/or inaction," the en banc said.

"Compliance with SOCE requirements is mandated for all candidates regardless of the magnitude of their expenditure. Respondent cannot be exempted from this duty," it added. 

Osmeña ran for reelection in 2016 but lost. He joined the senatorial race again in 2019 but failed to secure votes to make a comeback.—LDF, GMA Integrated News